Chapter 143. Kaldrach de Adratan (2)

With a single sentence, I felt an icy chill settle over the room.

The intensity of Kaldrach's gaze was enough to make the raging blizzard outside seem like a safe haven.

Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, Zahard slowly gripped his staff.

"The one beside Kaldrach is..."

Though blind, it was clear to Zahard that the person was a woman.

Having lived as a blind man for quite a while, Zahard had grown accustomed to identifying people by their aura.

Yet, there was something unusual about her aura that differed from ordinary people.

"Is she the witch I've heard so much about?"

Though he had never seen her, his prolonged service at the Northern Front meant Zahard was well aware of the abundant rumors surrounding her.

Beyond the Northern Front lied those often referred to as "barbarians" who were said to wield the "demonic energy" of demons.

Thus, Zahard was prepared to draw his sword from his staff at a moment's notice, just in case.

"Even if I don't know her personality, the rumors weren't good."

He couldn't fathom why such a "witch" would be accompanying Kaldrach.

Whatever the reason, he knew this fact wouldn't sit well with the soldiers serving on the 'Northern Front'.

"Hmm. It's unusual for Yulian to question a prince. Very well, explain why I should halt the search."

Kaldrach's irritated voice echoed within the cabin.

Unable to see his expression, Zahard began to sense an oddity in Kaldrach's aura.

'Surprisingly, he's speaking calmly.'

Having dealt with Kaldrach during his service, Zahard knew his temperament well.

A man unafraid of the frontlines, with a fiery disposition.

Despite his noble bloodline, he was a prince unafraid of blood from demons and barbarians staining his face.

Such traits won him the military's support, embracing their protection.

The reason he was containing his anger was owing to 'Yulian'.

On the Northern Front, 'Yulian' bore a prestige comparable to a 'Sword Saint'.

"Quite a daring chap."

Hence, Zahard was greatly impressed by Yulian's poise.

With just a single statement.

One sentence from him had brought a 'prince', a figure of nobility before whom all commoners would bow, to the negotiating table.

'He must have anticipated Kaldrach coming.'

As he watched the devious man with slit eyes smile, Zahard began to harbor a deep-seated doubt.

Just how far does this person's influence reach?

***

"Ahhh..."

I knew.

As 'Yulian', I shouldn't have uttered such blasphemous words to the Sun of the Empire, the prince.

Yulian is a caricature of ambition, entirely consumed by self-love.

But what could I do?

What's done is done.

The mundane thinking of 'Yi Shihu', not yet fully overshadowed by 'Yulian', tried desperately to avoid disagreeing with the prince, but it was inevitable.

I had come this far to deal with the 'one-armed demon'.

Retreating was not an option.

If I intended to simply return comfortably to the capital, I would have left it to Zahard. Whatever 'disaster' it was, it involved the 'one-armed demon'.

"Isn't it about time to start pulling back the Wedge knights and troops from the frontlines?"

With a racing heart, I slowly opened my mouth.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Aren't the demons and barbarians gathering beyond the Northern Front?"

"... Demons and barbarians?"

The first to react to my words was Zahard.

Having served on the Northern Front, he roughly grasped the implication of what I'd said.

Every few years, the "enemies" of the "Adratan Empire" beyond the Northern Front advance to break through the northern frontline's wall, known as 'North Pole'.

Naturally, ordinary soldiers aren't sufficient to fend off demons and barbarians who could easily tear apart average humans.

The command of Kaldrach and his knight order, the 'Wedge' knights, would be essential.

"Hmm..."

Therefore, Kaldrach wouldn't be able to leave the Northern Front for a while with the 'Wedge' knights.

That's why the prince came personally to negotiate with 'outsiders'.

He had a hunch that I'd come this far to kill the "one-armed demon" and was trying to buy time for capture.

"You've got quite a bit of information."

Kaldrach's gaze was questioning, a "How do you know demons are gathering?"

However, soon that inquiry turned into suspicion.

"Do you have someone on the Northern Front in league with you? No... that's unlikely."

Knowing the power was firmly in his hands at the Northern Front, his doubts quickly faded.

Kaldrach began to ponder for a moment.

And then, he started walking towards me.

"But you know with unbelievable accuracy. It's your first time here after completing your service at the Northern Front."

First time?

I pondered on Kaldrach's comment, and he shook his head as if reconsidering.

"In that case, we'll have to request something on our end."

What?

Kaldrach displayed a serene smile.

"You said we must guard North Pole, so we'll leave the capture of the one-armed demon to you."

Tch.

I clicked my tongue inwardly at his words.

"Is that a threat?"

Rather than commanding as a prince, he demanded to 'capture' the demon instead of 'killing' it.

Rejecting this order would be considered refusing a royal command—an ultimatum.

"I'm sorry, prince Kaldrach, but I'm tasked with bringing the criminal Zahard to the capital. I can't comply with your order."

Thankfully, I'd already prepared a counter to that threat.

I'm escorting the criminal 'Zahard', and if we meet demons along the way and have to kill them, it's unavoidable.

"In that case, there's no choice."

Kaldrach seemed to give up easily but I could clearly feel it.

'He's wary of me now, unlike our first encounter.'

His gaze and breathing.

The subtle signs he unconsciously exuded were definitely giving me a warning.

"Well, let's consider the negotiation over."

"Kaldrach, it seems your words have changed since you arrived."

As Kaldrach appeared ready to retreat, the witch who'd been silent finally spoke.

"I clearly expressed my desire for the 'capture' of the one-armed demon."

"What can I do? We lack the time and troops and they have solid reasons and power."

Kaldrach uttered those words, then glanced at Zahard.

"My condolences for your son, Zahard. I'll pray for him."

Apparently, Kaldrach was aware that the one-armed demon was Zahard's son.

At this point, it became somewhat clear why Kaldrach was wary of me.

"That's not what I was going to say. That being holds significant research value! As mentioned before arriving, we should just threaten them?"

"Regrettably, the cards I possess won't work."

Kaldrach's gaze filled with meaning directed at me once more.

"Especially not on you."

Finally, he concluded with a faint smile.

"Sir Yulian, it's been a while. It's good to see you."

"I feel the same, prince Kaldrach."

A chuckle escaped Kaldrach, his laughter deepening.

"Did you know, Yulian?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you were serving on the Northern Front, do you recall what I said upon first entering North Pole?"

... There's no way I'd remember.

It was the first time we'd met, after all.

"Yes, I remember."

Still, I had no choice but to pretend.

"Though I am of royal blood, I am but another cog defending the wall of North Pole. I asked to be treated as a knight, asking you to call me 'sir' rather than by title while on the Northern Front."

He had said something to that effect.

"I requested then that during our time in the north, you address me as 'sir' rather than 'your highness', as I am but a fellow knight at the North Pole."

Really? Had that been said?

Recalling past playthroughs, there wasn't a single instance where Kaldrach had made such a request to Yulian.

"Many claim you seem like a different person these days..."

His laughter faded into a serious expression, one of the most solemn I'd witnessed.

"Perhaps they have a point."

With a serene, caution-laden gaze, Kaldrach looked at me.

Whoosh ──

He swept his cloak around him, moving towards the cabin's entrance.

As he departed, the "witch" remaining behind looked at me with resentful eyes, frustrated that I had foiled their plans.

'I'll remember this.'

With eyes promising retribution, she hurriedly trailed after Kaldrach.

"... Are they gone?"

Feeling them depart, Zahard exhaled a sigh of relief and released the grip on his staff, a pained expression crossing his face.

"I never thought Prince Kaldrach would show up personally."

"The fact that he did shows their desperation."

"But how did you know?"

"What do you mean?"

Feigning innocence at Zahard's curious gaze, he shook his head.

"Nothing, never mind. It's not like I'd get a satisfactory answer anyway."

He commented, jabbing his staff at Felkhor's side.

"Stop pretending to sleep and get up! It's your watch."

"Ow, that hurts, damn it!"

So, he had been awake as expected.

Rising from the ground, Felkhor met my gaze, scratched his head awkwardly, and laughed sheepishly.

... Do we really need to keep him around?

***

For now, there wouldn't be any pursuit from the 'Wedge' knights as they guarded the northern barrier, 'North Pole'.

Yet, Kaldrach seemed unwilling to let us off so easily as he claimed.

The prince had set a watch over us.

The stated reason was to ensure our safe exit from the blizzard forest, an escort of sorts.

'A pretext to prevent us from killing the one-armed demon, observing us closely.'

However, there was a factor Kaldrach hadn't anticipated.

The observer he sent was, in fact, Rinne—a student from the academy's latest field trip.

"... Sir Yulian."

Again standing before us was Rinne, the one who had helped us evade 'Wedge's' pursuit.

And yet.

'It's plausible.'

As the 'Sword Saint's' disciple and someone reported to despise the disgraced Yulian, it was reasonable.

Because of this 'dislike', they assumed she'd surely take decisive action should anything rash occur.

"Lending Rinne for our guidance, it seems Prince Kaldrach has indeed thought this through."

As I looked at her, Rinne's impassive expression skimmed over me, Zahard, and Felkhor.

"Let me make it clear; I'm here under Prince Kaldrach's orders to guide you out of the blizzard forest."

Whispering to Zahard, I suggested, "Might be good to share a bit of backstory."

"... Do you mean to appeal to her sentiment?"

"Yes, it's no big secret anyways, so why not?"

With my earnest words, Zahard coughed and distanced himself for a private conversation with Rinne.

As Felkhor and I watched from afar, eventually, Rinne and Zahard approached us.

"... I understand the circumstances but defying a prince's command is no small matter."

Well, that's it, then.

We were past the point of making concessions.

Even if we had to 'subdue' Rinne, it was imperative to root out the threat of the 'one-armed demon'.

"But I'm not familiar with the blizzard forest either, so I might get us lost."

Rinne glanced around, speaking plainly with her usual unexpressive face.

"There might be... a bit of wandering involved, is that okay?"

Clacky's Corner:Yep, it's okay to get lost a little bit.

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